The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the home, where family and friends naturally come together, so it’s important to have it set up properly. Some kitchens have cabinets below the countertop and above it, even if it’s not the ideal choice for modern living. You should include more drawer storage to maximize depth and height and have access to everything you need. Before you make changes to the current layout, consider what’s easier and more efficient for you and your family. Kitchen drawers can accommodate various items, such as cooking appliances, utensils, or frying pans, so allocate drawers to the functional areas of the kitchen.
Maybe you’ve already replaced all of your kitchen cabinets with drawers. Good for you. It’s one of the best decisions you can make during a home renovation because everything is altogether right where you need it. Kitchen drawers are out of sight and out of mind, but that doesn’t mean they have to be disorganized. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to feel good about the space if it’s unorganized, so if your kitchen drawers are driving you crazy, consider implementing some of these ideas.
Discard The Things You Barely Use
There’s no point whatsoever in organizing the kitchen drawers if they’re filled with a bunch of stuff you don’t need or want. Discard the things you barely use, such as holiday and special occasion items; once the junk is cleared away, you’ll have more success organizing whatever is left. It’s worth giving the drawers a good clean: vacuum to remove debris, and if you encounter a stain, sprinkle baking soda and scrub it with a sponge. Bigger drawers tend to attract more weight, and while this isn’t an issue if you pull out every now and then if used all the time, it can become tiresome as you need to use more force or energy. Just because you have enough room for extra items, you shouldn’t squeeze them in, especially pots and pans.
Unless you eat on the go, you don’t need plastic tableware, so take the crockery, cutlery, and glassware to your office and stash them on your desk (you’ll need them for packed lunch). Gadgets that only serve one purpose are good to go because they take up way too much space, so put away your herb scissors, avocado slicer, or bagel cutter if you haven’t used them in a while. Last but not least, go through your food containers and see if they’re warped or unusable, recycling anything you can’t use. Most recycling programs accept plastics.
Mix And Match Inexpensive Drawer Organizers
As the name clearly suggests, organizers keep you organized so that you can use all the space in your kitchen drawers. There are so many options to choose from that it will be hard to make up your mind. Remember that the best organizers are customizable to the drawers you have, helping you carve out more space. Only settle once you have something that holds everything in place (but doesn’t break the bank). Maybe the organizer is so pretty you can’t resist the temptation to lay it out in the open, but it’s more useful in your drawer, so tuck it away. Think about mixing and matching different shapes and sizes to create the perfect configuration for your kitchen.
Stack Dinnerware by Type for Ready Access
Quality kitchen dishes can be used for a comfortable and luxurious meal, chosen based on their theme or the specifics of the meal chosen. They should be within each reach when placed together. Stack the plates by type and invest in appropriate dividers and buffers so they don’t slide or chip when you open or close the drawer (they’re ideal for long-term storage). Put your everyday dishes in the base drawers instead of the upper cabinets, as it’s a good way to store them closer to the dishwasher. A maximum of 12 plates is a good rule of thumb. This is the maximum stress in a stack.
If you have to get on a stool or bend your way over to get your hands on plates, bowls, mugs, etc., you’re working too hard. Ensure they’re within arm’s reach. For Chinaware, you can use pegs – just adjust the dowels to separate the dinnerware sets, and you’re all good to go. Using a peg system in the drawer makes it easy for the kids to access the dishes, so everyone can set the table or empty the dishwasher. You can install a shelf underneath the upper/base cabinets for smaller items, such as mugs or bowls. If there are several cabinets in a row, measure the entire width of the adjoined cabinets.
Organize Kitchen Drawers Vertically
One of the best possible ways to tame the clutter is to leverage the vertical space by storing utensils upright and making more efficient use of the drawer space. If you don’t already have containers inside, there’s no better time than now to get some; the compact size makes the containers perfect for every kitchen space. You can store stuff you haven’t given much thought to, such as wooden spoons, rolling pins, whisks, and so on. You can see everything stored, as it’s nicely in place. Traditional organization methods can result in a disorganized mess, meaning it’s difficult, if not impossible, to find what you need when you need it.
Wrapping It Up
Kitchen drawers are a more practical type of storage, but there’s always a time and place for cabinets and doors. You can store everything from glassware and dishes to small appliances and bulky cookware. Clutter can disrupt your focus and concentration – trying to function in a messy space will overwhelm you. Keep in mind that the kitchen isn’t just a place where you prep and eat meals; it’s the hub of the home, so clear the clutter to have an area that blends with your lifestyle. Mess might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can be a pretty big deal.
